Vlastuin must wait as Tigers finally summon up strength

Sports writer for The Age

Damien Hardwick did not rule out No. 9 pick Nick Vlastuin playing his first game against St Kilda on Friday night. Photo: Pat Scala

Such a hindrance was Richmond's lack of depth last year, it obliged the club to spend the off-season scouring opposition lists to top up its own with ready-made senior players.

Now those extra bodies have arrived at Punt Road and Tigers coach Damien Hardwick faces a different headache: who to pick when injury is not a factor and the batting order runs deep?

In any other year at Richmond, first-round draft pick Nick Vlastuin would already be in the team.

''Funnily enough, he is probably the most ready round one draft pick we've had in my time,'' Hardwick said. ''But because of the depth of our side and the talent that is available at the moment, he has just missed out.''

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Hardwick did not rule out the No. 9 pick playing his first game against St Kilda on Friday night, but if he does have to wait his turn it will not be for long.

''Whether he makes his debut this week or in three weeks' time, he's going to play at some stage,'' Hardwick said.

Vlastuin is the most popular name on Richmond fan forums, in a Dyson Heppell way. Supporters are excited about the impact the 18-year-old could have in his first year. ''The coach is very excited about his prospects as well,'' Hardwick said.

Vlastuin backed up a promising NAB Cup campaign with another strong performance in the VFL last week.

The problem confronting Vlastuin is the Tigers would have to drop someone from a winning team to squeeze in the young defender.

Hardwick conceded on Wednesday that it was tempting to reward the 22 that finally knocked off Carlton. But there are a clutch of options, with defender Dylan Grimes the one knocking hardest on the selection door, plus Matt Dea (who had 31 disposals in the VFL) and Vlastuin (22 disposals).

Then there are the ''ready-mades'' such as Aaron Edwards, Chris Knights and Ricky Petterd.

''Whether we make changes this week or not we'll certainly make a few tough calls in match committee,'' Hardwick said.

''It's very important [that depth]. If you don't play well, you go out. It's something we haven't had for a period of time.''

Edwards booted five goals for Coburg last week but, like Knights (who had 28 disposals), he will have to be patient.

''He [Edwards] is playing a different role … so he's learning a few things that he can take into AFL level,'' Hardwick said.

The Tigers will take on St Kilda in the prime-time MCG contest, looking for their first 2-0 start to a season since 1997.

But six of the Tigers' 10 losses last season came against teams that lost the week before.

St Kilda will be bolstered by Leigh Montagna's return from suspension and is hopeful injured All-Australians Sean Dempster and Sam Fisher will be available.